Diabetes and Oxidative Stress

Most researchers are in basic agreement that the theory of oxidative stress is central to explaining the cause of diabetes. To understand the theory, one must first conceptualize that a "free radical" is any atom or molecule which has an "unpaired electron" in its outer ring. Because it is lacking an electron, it is unstable and very much wants to find one electron to fill its need. 

This "free radical" will steal an electron from any other molecule it encounters that is more willing to give one up and thus it becomes satisfied. but now the victim molecule has become a free radical itself and so it now will look for another victim molecule to steal its much-desired electron from thus propagating this cycle over and over again. 

This cycle is called "the chain reaction of free radicals". The chief danger of free radicals comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. 

Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle antioxidants are glutathione, SOD (superoxide dismutase), beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, CoQ10, melatonin, and alpha-lipoic acid. According to the theory of oxidative stress, free radicals run rampant through the body wreaking havoc. 

In the case of type 1 diabetes damaging beta cells in the pancreas, negatively impacting their ability to produce insulin in the case of type 2 diabetes damaging cell membranes, leading to a breakdown in intercellular signaling. And if that were not bad enough free radicals deplete our body's reserve of antioxidants further contributing to the problem. 

This is why it is so important to lower oxidative stress with a better diet, more exercise, an improved lifestyle; and to take all the antioxidant supplements known to neutralize the excess free radicals. There is still a lot to learn about the causes of diabetes, but what is known, is that our bodies may begin to malfunction five to seven years before we are ever diagnosed with diabetes. 

That is why researchers believe that nearly 30-50% of the people who have diabetes don't even know it. It is vital for the person with diabetes to measure his blood sugar and get to KNOW not to GUESS about his body. he needs to know how stress affects him, how carbs affect him, and how everything affects his blood sugar. Knowledge is power. Sometimes we find that just certain foods, just certain stresses just certain times of the month make the diabetes work.